TuneLab
Simon Doty at Empire
Anjunadeep Explorations 2024 (Techno, House Sunrise Set)
A 'sunrise set' at Empire is less about the actual sun and more about that moment when the crowd’s energy shifts from frantic dancing to a deep, communal groove—and Simon Doty’s offering is a textbook example of how to soundtrack that transition with tech house and progressive house that’s both muscular and melodic. This is the sound of the sweet spot, where fatigue melts away and movement becomes effortless, driven by a rock-solid 127.7 BPM heartbeat. The vibe is warm, driving, and subtly euphoric, with lighting that probably mimics the first hints of dawn, cutting through the residual smoke of the night. Doty’s technical approach is precision-engineered for the dancefloor, locking into a tight BPM range of 127-128 and utilizing the highly mixable keys of 12A and 3B to create a seamless, hypnotic flow.
The energy profile is notably more balanced towards the high-end (0.14) compared to deeper sets, meaning crisp hats, sharp claps, and soaring synth lines are deployed to maintain peak-time energy even as the mood becomes more introspective. The tracklist is a masterclass in peak-time selection: his own 'Push the Tempo' is a fitting, driving opener. Mundopal’s '10H10' brings a minimal, percussive tension, while Robbie Rivera’s classic 'The Main Room' injects a shot of pure, funky tech house adrenaline. The inclusion of CamelPhat & Will Easton’s 'Witching Hour' is a dark, rolling weapon, and X-Press 2’s 'Say What!' (London Underground Mix) is a timeless, sample-heavy bomb.
Closing with Sunhatch’s 'Come Feel the Love' (DJ DLG Dub Mix) is a genius move, ending on a note of deep, soulful, vocal-laced house. The journey starts with the insistent groove of 'Push the Tempo', hits a peak with the tribal force of 'The Main Room' or the dark energy of 'Witching Hour', and sails into the sunrise on the uplifting chords of the closing track.